Healing Stories

Dr. A.J. Cianflocco, MD is the retired team physician for the Cleveland Cavaliers and former director of sports medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.  He is a gentle physician whose life focused on history.  His healing story represents the importance of presence, rest and communication. Dr. AJ discusses the importance of listening as a central element to building trust as a leader, a physician and a professional athlete.    

What did we learned from a human sharing his or her healing story?  Today we celebrate close to 5,000 downloads of the healing stories podcast.  We explore the essential thread of these stories over all these years. Appropriately we launch on Memorial Day that honors so many women and men whose courage heals the world.  

Jodi Cohen is a bestselling author, award-wining journalist, nutritional therapist and mother.  Her #1 best selling book, Healing with Essential Oils, engages the elements of the body and the brain.  She shares her healing story through the beauty of the senses.  

Keira Poulsen's new book Rise up and Awaken explores the gift of telling the truth of our stories.  In this healing stories podcast, Keira speaks about the trauma of sexual abuse and the pain that this transforms into power.  Keira invites the listener to be themselves.   

Dr. Paul Dieppe teaches us through his four months as a hostage in Kuwait.  He moves forward in the healing journey by "reframing" this trauma.  As a rheumatologist and professor at Exeter University his research on health and wellbeing is studied throughout the world. 

Dr. Binu Mathew shares experiential data on a balanced life. His mantra of "we are interconnected" revitalizes the soul. He speaks about growing up in India with the influence of the Ayurvedic tradition and the importance of fasting while color and beauty matter on any plate or data chart. Dr. Mathew reveals some of his methods for living in this "inevitable moment." The teachings of Sadhguru that illuminate a process of inner engineering becomes the focal point of this healing story podcast.

Ed Peck, PhD. offers a way to engage the pandemic with a method of reconciliation, wholeness and imagination.  He draws on the work of higher education to place those on the margins in the center to listen to their experience and story.  Essentially this means we live from a place of awareness as reconcilers.  Dr. Peck submits a listening approach to engage the reality of our lives which pines for an integrated story.  We reverence the life of our mentor Fr. Howard Gray, SJ who always saw people as loved.  This episode shows a way to bridge higher education with a health system.  

Dr. Michelle Goetz's healing story invokes a well worn mantra - "life happens." We hear how her experience as a physician encountering life and death offers us a way to cope with daily ups and downs. Her tips and calm wise words are food for the journey. As a mom, a spouse and a doctor she invites us to find creative ways to stay resilient at work and home

Christine Forner, BA, BSW, MSW, is the author of Dissociation, Mindfulness and Creative Meditations: Trauma Informed Practices to Facilitate Growth. She discusses how our humanity diminishes with injury.  "When a human hurts us there is pain. This pain gets encapsulated with a dissociate barrier."  How do we heal this hurt? After 13,000 clients Kristin offers a beautiful insight in her healing story of a care center as a safe overhaul for being a human. A final meditation together helps us slow down.

As a former police officer in the US Navy, Wayne understands the importance of building methods of safety.  His traumas in childhood taught the importance of boundaries and a sense of letting go.  Wayne describes the methods to heal from family mental illness and helpful tips from training with the Navy Seals.  A father of faith and life long learner, we hear tips on the listening practice in matters of race.   

“We have very little control over what happens in our lives, but we have a lot of control over how we integrate and remember what happens.” Henry Nouwen, Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith   Aghogho Edevbie is a human of political integration. In this healing story he describes how parents motivate our stories with the example of his father's heroic journey from Nigeria. He currently champions the mail to bring about social change in voting during these extraordinary times. Aghogho hopes to continue a calling to politics. He is one of my former students from UD High who always represented faith, social justice and the power of carrying the voice of those on the margins to the center.

Author Dan Pelino and Dr. Paul Grundy share their inspiring story creating the book Trusted Healers.  Dr. Paul Grundy is considered the godfather of the medical home.  Their careers span the globe working closely with Nelson Mandela to combat the HIV pandemic and overcoming barriers for justice with Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy.  The importance of Dan Pelino’s mantra “Everyone Matters” sounds true as we listen to the whispers during these extraordinary times.    

Grant Thomas is owner and founder of SŌL Studios https://solstudios.com/.  His healing story explores the importance of sound and its connection to our greatest selves.  Grant explores the vulnerable world of creating music and in our current complex time the need to explore our voice.  He mixes a faith story of a Pentecostal upbringing with designing a diverse studio in the heart of downtown Fort Smith.  He recommends Leon Bridges as a melody of peace as we listen for the voice of truth.   

Charles DeSantis is the Interim Vice President of Human Resources at Georgetown University and the Chief Benefits Officer. He speaks about Wellness as a journey - and defines this as all the things you do in your life to take care of yourself. Each night at dinner his husband David and 4 kids meditate to the song Salvation is Created for 3 1/2 minutes. This is a curative and restorative practice that writes his healing story. We discuss the future of learning and his "morning rise" during this pandemic.

Dr. Nima Rahmany, DC, CCWP is both a Chiropractor and an educator, specializing in helping individuals and professionals get to the ROOT CAUSE of their physical and emotional challenges, from stressed, depressed, and anxious to living Powerfully Aligned and on Purpose. He encourages parents to become aware of our nerves during COVID-19 offering strategies to build a healing story during this time.  After building a successful Chiropractic practice in Maple Ridge, BC, Dr. Nima sold his clinic in June 2016 to pursue his passion of teaching and coaching professionals who are stressed, depressed, and anxious to transform and have their best year ever— in both a private and corporate setting.  

Find your strength. Mary D’Amato coaches leaders for over the last 20 years.  She offers in this healing stories podcast a method of finding your strength.  In this time of COVID-19 many wonder what to be and do as a leader with the grief from the pandemic.  Mary offers us insights especially from her own battle of breast cancer and reminds us to consider other times of trial in our lives with the importance of connectedness. Her favorite question is, “Does this serve you?”  Her humor, wisdom and New Jersey Italian frankness illuminate how our stories help us in times of crisis.  We are comforted that we are not alone, and connection will see us through this moment.  

Dr. Nicole Groeschl, MD describes a healing story that dances through life.  In our conversation this family medicine physician understands the dynamics of living authentically.  She talks about marriage, self-care, parenting young children and the complex road of sexuality.  Dr. “Special Groeschl” as she is called lets us know that sticking with life along the path can build a world where everyone belongs. 

Justin T. Miller grew up in Peachtree City, GA and has spent the past decade working to solve some of the world’s most complex social problems with the heart of an entrepreneur. He is author of the exciting new book Beyond Blood that offers hope and humanity in the forgotten struggle of HIV. Justin discusses his method of Co-Founding CARE for AIDS, and dedicated his life and leadership to empowering people throughout East Africa to live a life beyond AIDS.   

Brian Ferguson is the CEO and Founder of Arena Labs. In his career as a high ranking Security officer, Brian developed an essential practice of leadership for healthcare and those searching for purpose . This healing stories podcast explores his essential roots from Cleveland, an insight from the Alchemist and the time honored friendship of Bobby and John F Kennedy. Friendship and living your truth ground this top rated healing stories podcast.  

Dr. Sara Warber, M.D. is Emeritus Professor and founder of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Michigan.  Her first love is plants and her healing story illuminates learning as a way of creating family doctors.  Dr. Warber is currently advising the World Health Organization on wholistic health.  She inspires a movement to highlight women in leadership and the relationship to the earth.  She says, "Expressing our kindness and unconditional love to each other is the foundation of any relationship that heals."  Her studies provide insights into our healing journeys.

T.M. Hoy spent 16 years reforming his life in prison that developed a way to live a life of meaning.  His books, including Lasting Happiness, inspire an inward journey defending the simple, the true and authentic journey. https://lastinghappiness.net/ He helps to set down a practical step by step guide to lead a life with purpose as this healing stories podcast speaks to those seeking the soul.  Listen to a transformational moment that decided not to let "mental chatter" decide the course of his life.  

Ginny Whitelaw is a former NASA scientist whose expertise helps heal.  Her leadership training workshops attract healthcare professionals from Merk, JNJ and Ascension to a practice that encourages resilience.  She speaks to us about the importance of presence as a leader.  Ginny’s new book Resonance is a toolkit for finding the meaning of soul, relationships and finding your strength within.   In her nearly 10 years at NASA, Ginny rose to the Deputy Manager for integrating the International Space Station, for which she received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. She holds a PhD in Biophysics, as well as a BS in Physics, a BA in Philosophy, and a fifth degree black belt in Aikido.  Ginny is the Founder and President of the Institute for Zen Leadership and a Zen Master in the Chozen-ji line of Rinzai Zen.

  Scott Shay is co-founder and chairman of Signature Bank and author of several books exploring the essential questions of life. He inspires us with the story of his father a Holocaust survivor and his courageous relationship to ask God why? Scott discusses the role of leadership in our current culture grounded in his Jewish faith.  His book, In Good Faith, unveils the idolatry of power highlighting the #METOO movement.   Learn more about this author and entrepreneur at ScottShay.com.

  Ken Kushner, Psy.D. has practiced for 40 years as a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin.  He is a Zen priest and an author.  Zen is one of the most popular spiritual practices that Ken helps us understand.  It is more than mindfulness and the calm app but more concerned with the question - "What is the nature of suffering and how do we cope?"  One of Ken's wellness opportunities is with HEAL that helps medical practitioners with burnout and resilience. He discusses the breathing practice of Hara https://haradevelopment.org  . His martial arts will guide this healing stories podcast to understand a way to not run away but face our lives.  A special sound can be explored on his website with the video of Honda Roshi playing the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute). Two websites that explain Ken's teachings and technique can be found at https://www.wisconsinzen.org/ken-kushner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe_3GBSmne8    

Dr. Richard Moss, MD is a world-renowned visionary thinker and teacher.  His seven books, among them Inside Out Healing, explore the power of presence in our life.  In this healing stories podcast he speaks about a framework for leadership, encourages a renewal for the practice of medicine and showcases how to listen to those we love.  "In 1977 Richard Moss was a practicing physician when he experienced a spontaneous state of illumination that irreversibly changed his life and profoundly transformed his understanding of human consciousness and behavior. With this opening came a new level of sensibility including a heightened intuition, subtle insight into mystical and spiritual teachings, and the ability to sense human body-energy fields."  His youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOtCFZXnREQoR8DUybG94A and seven seminal books are worth exploring.  

  Everett Ogawa teaches the revolutionary healing method of integral body work http://integralbodywork.com/  He blends Zen and Rolfing to free the body from trauma and stress.  Everett will guide us into a beautiful reality of freedom.  He offers lessons from Sadhguru  to complete the podcast.  

Music heals.  In this podcast the Director of the Fort Smith Symphony, John Jeter, and his Mom, Dee Schore, discuss the element of listening.  This exciting and thoughtful healing story opens the door to a mother-son team whose lives inspire and guide us towards a sense of wholeness.  We discuss the role of education, how to sooth a new born and the mother-son connection.  Dee Schore has practiced healing for the last 40 years.  John Jeter practices with the baton in leading a symphony of beauty.  Join us as we explore how music is the healing arts.

In this episode of healing stories BC Barton shares her understanding of how to live an authentic life.  Over 40 years of healing practices help the listener to gain insights on how to wake everyday with a new sense of purpose.  BC covers topics from how to handle the loss of a loved one to her current mantra for healing.  We dedicate this podcast to the Pennington Family traveling around the world on the open seas.  

Sr. Chabanel Finnegan, RSM after 64 years in the Sisters of Mercy, shares insights on how she understands purpose and the healing ministry.  Dr. Kendall Wagner and she reflect on a theological text called Conspiracy of the Holy Spirit.  Are we going deeper with sacred texts to guide strategy and executive acumen in healthcare?  HEALING comes from relationships and the Physician/Sister of Mercy relationship will help guide the healing story of Catholic Healthcare.

In August 2017, Dr. Louay Nassri witnessed to his patients the meaning of a healthy soul.  In this podcast we explore the way to balance a life filled with the choice of chaos or peace.  Dr. Nassri is a pediatrician and was recognized by the International Association of Health Care Professionals as a leading Physician of the World in 2014.  He discusses the way he and his fellow Muslim physicians healed a southern community after a devastating hate crime. His story was featured in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/26/us/fort-smith-arkansas-mosque-vandalism-and-forgiveness.html   This authentic human being is a consummate teacher and brings the lessons from his deep healing practice to the patient.  

This episode engages a pioneer in the healing movement for children infected with HIV.  Mary Owens oversees the daily care of more than 4,000 children in Kenya and offers ways to deal with suffering in our own lives.  She explores the possibility of moving into a new path toward wholeness.  

Dr. Kendall Wagner is an internal medicine/ pediatric physician. He recently traveled to offer medical care to Sondor Peru as part of a global health site assessment. He discusses his views on humility, kindness and meditation. Dr. Wagner's quiet confidence is displayed in his exceptional patient satisfaction scores.

The healing story of Sr. Patricia Mulderick emphasizes the importance of presence.  She shares a near death experience illuminating a common humanity with the people of Peru.  Sr. Patricia carries the charism of Catherine McAuley to collabortate with others to be more merciful.  Their stories and faces are deep and powerful.  

In the background sounds of Peru Dr. Amanda Wright discusses the strategies of healing.  Her experience underscores the importance of listening to the patient with a presence of compassion.  Her healing story focuses on the shared humanity of the Peruvian people with the students and team from Arkansas.  Dr. Wright presents the community health worker as an opportunity to advance health outcomes in local communities in the United States.    

Dr. Pam Gaborni shares her healing story of her daughter. She dicusses the fragility of telling a patient they have a very short time to live. She belives this might be a moment of healing. 

Dr. Priyanka Sanon creativley teaches how to renew in the field of medicine. She discuses how she deals with the life and death of patients and how her belief in miracles guides her daily calling as a physcian. 

Dr. Ukwe in an extended conversation highlights what's so special in the patient visit.  He also personalizes his belief in miracles through the birth of his son.  Dr. Ukwe reflects on being held at gun point after which he develped  a deep gratitude to live each day with joy.  Words of reassurance for each mom encourages hope to any parent working to find meaning. 

Dr. Uwke M.D., a practicing peditricain reveals the importance of gratitude in the life of a physician.  He helps us to see that every physician can bring joy through our call to the healing profession. Healing is as much to do with what we say as to what we do.  

In this episode of healing stories, an extended converstaion with Dr. Evan Young, DPM  we explore the meaning of medicine. He describes why he entered medicine and how this brought him to experience a miracle for his mother at the end of life. Dr. Young discusses the importance of his wife, and a life of balance needed in the medical profession. 

Dr. Evan Young, DPM shares his healing story about how he chose the medical field. He also describes the powerful service and peace in dealing with his mother's recent illness and death.     

In Healing Stories' first episode, host Martin Schreiber E.d.D. sits down with Sister Mary Roch Rocklage, RSM as she discusses how our abilitiy to relate to others can make us ministers of healing and answers what God is calling us to at Mercy in this moment. She shares how she learned acceptance through her youngest sister's cancer diagnosis, gives her perspective on spirituality and tells us who she thinks God is- "God is the source of life. He is in you. He is in me. He is everywhere. We Breathe God."       

In this breif introduction the "why" of Healing Stories becomes more obvious to anyone searching for meaning and purpose in their life. Join Martin J. Schreiber E.d.D. as he articulates the role of storytelling in the ever changing world of healthcare.